The Community Tap is Moving

11:12 AM, December 3, 2013 |

By Lillia Callum-Penso

The Community Tap is moving…three doors down. The 3 ½-year-old craft beer and wine store will be moving to the larger space formerly occupied by UrbanDigs (UrbanDigs moved next door to its old spot) at the Stone’s Point shopping plaza in early January.

The move has been in the works since the summer but only got approved by the city of Greenvillein November. The reason for the long process? The Community Tap’s new location will, fingers crossed, serve a few food items. Now, TCT is not going to be a restaurant. We’re talking more some fresh cheeses, charcuterie and bread, basically snacks to munch on while you grab a glass of wine or a pint of beer.

“When there is not a food truck out front and people want to come in and get some beers we want to give them something to snack on,” Buffington says. “We don’t want to get into the food business, just snacks.”

The new location has several advantages, but the biggest one being that its larger. It will offer almost 50 percent more space, which means TCT will have more room for not only product but seating. In addition to tables inside, Buffington says there are plans to build a deck off the side as well that will create 30 outdoor seats as well.

Inside, customers will see a slight shift in product. The 12-tap growler station will mostly stay the same, though Buffington and Okupinski are looking to create a separate cider tap in the near future.

“It’s a growing category,” Buffington says. “And then there are people who are just trying to stay away from gluten too.”

In addition, TCT will be expanding its cold beer options. They’ll replace the current 3-door cooler with a 6-door one allowing for more options for those looking for grab and go options. The current cooler will be used for single bottles of beer and more craft wines.

The big move is set to take place the first week of January, with the new location opening fresh in the new year.

“I’ve looked at each year as a different phase of the life cycle of the business,” Buffington says.